Brood frame



Aug. 9, 1932. G. B. BARKER 1 1,870,704

BROOD FRAME Filed July 5, 1928 Patented Aug. 9, 1932 GEORGE B. BARKER, 0F SPARKS, NEVADA, ASSIGNOR'OF ONE- -HALF TO MELVIN E. H

meson, or RENO, NEVADA BROOD FRAME Application filed July 5,

This invention relates to bee culture and more particularly to improvements in brood frames.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved brood or extracting frame having a plurality of tensioned comb supporting wires extending across the same, sa d frame being formed of a material which will permit flexing while the wires are being placed in position, and in assuming its normal position, will automatically place said wires under tension.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which I Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame flexing apparatus showing a frameheld in flexed position therein;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the brood frame.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional View illustrating the bent nail which forms a hook for supporting one of the brood frame wires.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

In the bee industry it is desirable to provide the brood or extracting frames with cross wires to assist in supporting the weight of the comb when filled to prevent sagging thereof from the weight of the honey, and also to prevent the comb from sagging dueto the high temperature in the hive; It is to overcome the sagging of the comb, that the wires are placed in the frames, since the bees will not often deposit the honey if the combs sag, but will prefer to swarm around the same.

According to the present practice, the comb supporting wires are positioned in the frame so that they invariably become loosened. Perhaps the most common practice is to utilize holes bored in the sides of the frame to thread the wire through, but even in this in- 1928. Serial No. 290,638.

stance the wire embeds itself inlthe wood and- In carrying the present invention into effect it'is proposed to use headed-fastenings 11, Fig. 3, which are driven through from the outside of the frame and formed with a look or eye portion at the inside of the frame for receiving the brood .wire or wires. Preferably a single wire is used because it is only necessary to anchor one end of the wire to one of the hooks and then thread or string the same on the remaining hooks and anchor its other end after the interior of the frame has been spanned sufficiently by aproper number of strandsof wire, according to the'weight of the combs to be supported by the frame- Brood or extracting frames 1 are usually formed substantially rectangular in shape with oppositely extending shoulders 2 which are adapted tosupport thesame in position within a hive.

While the frame having the characteristics referred to may be made with the use of various types of apparatus, reference may be made toFig. 1 which shows how the sides of the frame may be flexed inwardly so that the fastenings 11 may receive the wire or wires 10. As previously indicated a single wire is used the same being anchored only at its ends and is loosely strung over the fastenings 11 so that when the sides of the frame spring back to their normal position, the wire will be placed under tension.

in Fig. 1 the frame consisting of the parts 1 and 2 is preferably placed between a pair of cam members 8 which may be moved by the handles '9, the said cam members 8 being mounted on a base 8. When the handles 9 are turned, as shown in Fig. 1, the sides of the frame are pressed inwardly so that the wire may be strung on the hooks or fastenings 11. When the handles 9 are turned so adjacent the sides of the frame, the said sides will spring back to their normal position and place the supporting wire under tension.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that 5 the present invention contemplates the provision of a novel brood frame possessing special features and characteristics which make it particularly efficientin use, and that the novel steps for making the brood frame constitute one of the important and distinctive features of the invention.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form,*proportion and minor details of construction may beresorted to, without departing from thespirit of the invention and scope of the ap :q pended claims. V

I claim l v 1. A brood frame includingside and end members, said end members being of resilient material whereby the same may be flexed inwardly, hook elements carried by :the end members and having their hooked portions positioned at the inside .of the frame',and a continuous wire adapted to be passed over said 7 hook members while the end members are so flexed inwardly whereby said wire will be drawntaut when the end members assume their normal position. v

2. A brood frame provided with flexible end members, top and bottom'members, spaced hook supports carried by said end members, I and comb supportin wires held under tension by and between t e flexible end members.

. 3. A brood frame including flexible wire supporting elements adapted initially to be 40 displaced from their normal position, and a wire mounted between said wire supporting elements, whereby when the said wire sup- 1 porting elements resume their normal position the wire will be placed under tension.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature; i V

GEORGE B. BARKER. 

